Christine Suciu

Box Score

Iona College ION 3-7, 3-6 MAAC

Niagara NIA 5-3, 4-3 MAAC

Iona College ION

3-7, 3-6 MAAC

Final

Apr. 01, 2021

Niagara NIA

5-3, 4-3 MAAC

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	F
Iona College ION	16	18	23	(0)
Niagara NIA	25	25	25	(3)

Game Recap: Volleyball | 4/1/2021 4:49:00 PM | Jonathan Stanko

Iona Volleyball Falls To Niagara In MAAC Championship Quarterfinals

The Gaels fall in straight sets to the Purple Eagles

ALBANY, NY – The Iona College volleyball season has come to a close with a three-set loss (16-25, 18-25, 23-25) to the third seeded Niagara Purple Eagles. The short-handed sixth-seeded Gaels fought vehemently and made its strongest push in the final set before bowing out in the quarterfinals of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship.

MATCH SUMMARY

Niagara jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first set and forced an Iona timeout with the margin growing to 11-5. The Gaels called a second timeout in the set trailing 16-10. Following the second timeout the Gaels earned the serve back, but an untimely service error put the balls back in the Purple Eagles court and they won four straight points to take a 21-11 lead. Niagara closed out the first with three straight points, accented by a service ace by Alexandra Leitner.

The Maroon & Gold hit -0.058 percentage in the first set with seven kills and 10 errors. Niagara held Iona to a negative hitting percentage despite having zero blocks. Jamie Smith had six kills in the first set to set the offensive tone for the Gaels.

The Purple Eagles took to the second set like the first. Iona had to call an early timeout trailing by four and eventually Niagara led the Gaels, 10-5. Iona bounced back from being doubled up and they'd get back within two, 11-9. Cassandra Patsos, playing out of position as a middle hitter/blocker, was key the Maroon & Gold getting back into it with a kill and ace.

Niagara pulled away in the second set with a six-point run to take a 20-11 lead. Jaycie Roberts served up the momentum for the Purple Eagles, even through an Iona timeout that attempted to stonewall her. The Gaels scored four straight points when trailing 23-14 to make it respectable, but the Maroon & Gold fell behind in the match with a 25-18 set two decision.

Five different Gaels had at least one kill in the second set and again it was Smith leading the way with four. Taylor Cole, who took off her libero uniform and became on outside hitter, had 16 of Iona's 21 receptions in the set. The Purple Eagles had a match-high 19 kills in the second set.

The third set was the most competitive of the match. Iona and Niagara traded points and for the only time in the match the Gaels were not doubled up when the Purple Eagles met double-digits. Instead, it was knotted at 10-10. A main reason for the Maroon & Gold's better performance was that their serve was improving, putting the Gaels in better position.

The turning point of the third set was with the Purple Eagles took a 15-11 lead, emphasized by blocks from Mary Redl-Harge and Taylor Allen. Following a media timeout, Niagara increased its lead to 17-12. Down by five, Iona did not go quietly into the night. Smith had a hill to get the Gaels within one, 19-20 and force a Niagara timeout. Following the 75 second break, Iona tied the game at 20-20.

The do-or-die set for the Maroon & Gold was knotted at 20, 21, 22 and 23. The Purple Eagles got the advantage with a Gaels attack error and the match was ended with a Roberts kill.

Niagara advances to the MAAC Championship semifinals winning the quarterfinal matchup against Iona, 3-0 (16-25, 18-25, 23-25).

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Jamie Smith led all players with 15 kills on 60 attack attempts. Smith ends her senior campaign with three straight games with 10+ kills. She fell one dig shy of a double-double.
Samantha Juran led all players with 23 assists. Niagara's Jessica Streuer had 16 assists and Casey Brown had 15 assists.
Taylor Cole led all players with 33 receptions. Juran led the Gaels with 19 digs. Niagara's libero Amanda Darling had a match-high 30 digs.
Cassandra Patsos had four service aces and contributed two solo blocks.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

Iona hit 0.053 percentage in the match and had a .194 assist percentage. Niagara hit .187 as a team and posted a .296 assist percentage.
The third set had 12 ties and six lead changes. There was only a total of one ties in the first two sets.
Iona finishes the 2020-21 season with a 3-7 record.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona College athletics on all social media platforms:
ICGaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)
Iona Volleyball: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates)

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